Dr Geoffrey Edelsten has failed to avoid going on trial on two criminal charges.

In the Supreme court yesterday, Justice McInerny dismissed an application by Edelsten for a permanent stay of the charges.

Edelsten had challenged the presentation of evidence at the trial relating to two illegally-taped car telephone conversations.

Dismissing the application, Justice McInerny banned publication of his reason for judgment.

The judge said that because Edelsten’s trial was to begin on November 6, publication of those parts relating to the evidence could cause prejudice.

On October 13 last year, the magistrate, Mr David Hyde, committed Edelsten for trial on charges relating to his alleged activities with the missing hitman, Christopher Dale Flannery.

One charge alleges that on January 31, 1984, Edelsten perverted the course of justice by improperly issuing a medical certificate saying Christopher Flannery was unfit to face trial that day on a charge of having murdered Raymond Francis Locksley.

This was allegedly to allow Flannery to avoid a particular judge.

The second charge alleges that between January 1 and April 30, 1984, Edelsten solicited Flannery to assault a former patient.